Charging machine



n GHARGING MACHINE Filed Sepv 18. 1925 2 sheets-MQW 57E-Eff PatentedNov. [30, i926.

R. STEERE, OF OWOSSO, MICIGAN, ASSGNR T0 STEERE lillGINEElitlllltil-COMPANY, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, .El CORFQRATXOM @15 cnanerne milenaria.

ppleation filed-September t3, 1925. Serial lilo. 57,133.

lt is-the primary object of my invention to 'provide means, capable ofautomatic opera tionwit'hout the services oifan operator, for charging agenerator of a gas producing plant ythat canbe operated at any cycle ot`the machine `vvithout shutting down the plant, thereby-saving time andincreasing the capacity ofthe plant, and reducing the amount of volatileloss.

lt isaffurther object of my invention to provide a charging device thatwill supply weighed amounts of fuel at any desired L time to thegenerator of a gas plant; reduce' the amount ofvolatile loss andincrease the efiiciency ot the machine by using small and 4i frequenticharges.

fjlflnother object of my invention is to provide 4an improved chargerthat will place fuel at anydesired part or sect-ion of the generator `ofa gas' plant, thereby maintaining an even `fue/1 bed, and reventingtroubles now encountered due to inability to control the placing offresh fuel..

' A further object of my invention is to can hefquiclrly secured to orremoved from a generatorjwith the minimum loss of time.- p Vith theabove and other objects in view, rmy, invention 4consists in thearrangement, lcombination and construction of the various parte. of myimproved device, as described 1 in -theispecicatiom claim-ed in myclaims and shown in the accompanying drawings,

in which: y y Y f vFig. lis an elevation showing more or less'diagrammatically the top portion ol a generator of a gas plantemployingy my invention, which is shown partly in section.

vice.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation `oi my improveddevice as attached to agenerator oi a vgas plant.

Fig. 4 is a detailed v iewio a 'part of my 43 imnroved'device. w

Fig. 5 isfasectional view taken on lines 5 5 of Fig. v

Fig. 6 is a detail View of proved device. p

I have shown the top portion 5 of a conventional type 'generator of agas plant.

A conventional type carriage composed of the channel iron frame securedtogether n by plates 21 and a central cross channel 22 a part of my im-'9" has axles 23 extending through one side 24 provide an improvedcharging machine that Fig. 2 is a plan View of my improved die-V oftheframe and through the central'chanv nel iron Secured to these axles23 are the car wheelsI 25 which are mounted on rails 26, and under theother side 27 of the carriage are supporting casters 23.

` A magazine l29, supported on the carriage 19 loy shoulders 30 restingon the side 24 and on the center channel iron 22, is placed over anozzle 3l at the top of the generator 5. Thej,.mag`azine 29 is loweredfrom the carriage and fitted onto the nozzle 3l by lever arms 32 thatare pivoted on the axles 23. One end 33 of these arms 32 is threaded.onto a. hand screw '34, which is fitted for rotation in a shackle 35that is secured to a Ml plate 36' on'thevmagazine 29 and the other endis dividedinto an upper lug 38 and a lower lu@r 39.

trl`hese'lugs 38 and 39 are adapted to bear" one direction, the lowerlug 39 will hearagainst lug 40, thereby raising the magazine with theaxle 23 as a pivot, and when the screw 34 is turned 'in the oppositedirection, the upper lug 38 will press against lug 40, thus vforcing themagazine downward and the axle-23 upward.

When the magazine is forced downwardly, the axle 23 is simultaneouslylifted by the force of the lugs 38 bearing'upon the lug 40. The channelplates 22 and 24 have positioned on their underside, dogs 4l and thelifting of the axle 23 in turn raises the channel plates so that thedogs 4l are hooked under the projections in the nozzle 3l, thus forcinga gas tight joint by increasing the weight bearing upon the top of th-egenerator.

fuel nozzle 43 having a cover seat '104 around the top edge thereofissuitably positioned on the magazine. 4 Fastened to the side of themagazine adjacentthe nozzle 43 'Ill is a hydraulic cylinder' 44 with thepiston c shaft 45 that has the raclr 46 secured thereto `hy means of thehraclret 47 and the bolts 48.

A guideway 49 and roller brackets 50 having the 'rollers 5l therein areprovided` for the rack 46 on the cylinder 44.

@n the fuel nozzle 43 are placed shaftsupports 52, into which is fittedthe shaft 53.

An arm 19 that has the nozzle cover 54 selcured thereto, by means ofholt 55, and nut/ llt] ' from the'side 27 of the carriage iframe.

tioned on'the shaft 53 is a lever 58 that isk pvotally connected at oneend to an angle eilig 59 placed on the rack 46 by a connecting link 60,and the pins 6l.l The other end of this lever 58 is in turnpivotallyjoined to a. lever 62 by the connection link 63 andthe pins 64.-The lever 62 is also secured to a protruding end of a shaft 65-thatpasses throughk a fuel container 66 that is pivoted by a. pin 67 tosupports 68, extending up The container 66 is provided with an open lportion 69 andan enclosed-chute end 70 leadgenerator In the constructionof this .ing therefrom. In the chute, secured .to the means, lI mount ahydraulic cylinder 76 on the'` topof the magazine 29. This cylinder 76is4 provided with -a piston rod 77 that has thev lower portion 7 8extending down into the magazine 29 and the upper portion 79 extendingthrough a stuting box 80,.with'the' packing gland 100, and a ratchetcasing 81 held by supports 82 secured to the cylinder` 76. Looselypositioned around the rod 77, is'a collar 83, to which is secured a handflever 84 thathas a protruding end 85. A

sprocket gear 86 is keyed to the rod 77 just 'below the ratchet casing8l, and securedon the inside ofthe ratchetcasing 81 is a pawl 87, whichmeshes with a ratchet gear 88:t hat has an inside pin 89 projecting into'a spiral groove 90 in the lrod 77.

Thus Ait will be seen that'the rod 77 may be raise-d orlowered bythehydraulic cylinder7 6 the. -distance between the stntiing` box and thecasing 81. On-the down stroke, the pin 89 in the groove 90 turns theratchet gear 88 on the pawl `87,` thus maintaining a given position fortherod 77. On the return stroke, the pawl 87 sets in one ofthe teeth l Ireverse movementof thel rack and leverage.

'The spreader 93 is thenloweredby the hydraulic cylinder l7 6 and thevvslanted face 96 places the fuel over a limited area in thev of theratchet, making the same stationary land the rod 77 is then partiallyrotated by the spiral` groovefollowing. around the. stationary/ pin 8 9.y y

It will be further-noted, if it is desired to turn the rod 77 to anyparticular point when the. same is lowered, the pawl 87 is raised out ofthe ratchet gear 88 and the lhand lever 84 is then raised horizontallyso that the end 85 thereof will set between the teeth of the gear 86.Thus, lthe rod 77 can be turned to any point between the supports 82.When The lower portion 78 ofthe rod 77 is held in positionby a bearing91 supported by cross beams'92, securedto the inside facing .ofthemagazine. Placed on the` end of this portion 78is a spreader 93 thathas anout-v y' wardly beveled bottom 94. This bottom 94,

when the spreader is in closed position, Wedges against a shoulder 95 onthe inside of the magazine 29, making a gas tight joint, and at thesaine time leaves thespreader 93 clear of the generator top and nozzle31, so that the charger may be moved on the carriage.' The spreader 93has a .slanted face 96 extending diagonally from a top edge 97 to thetop edge of the bottom 94.- On the extreme end of the'upper porti0n 7 9of the rod 77,is.a block 98 havingan indicating arrow 99 showingtheexact position of the spreader 93. i i V- I n practica-l'operation, myimproved device is placed over the generator 5 of a ygas plant,lowered'o'n and thensecuredto the nozzle 31 by the, lever-arm 32operated withl the h and s crew'f34, and the dogsel.

container 66, which is placed in a' horizontal,

The

position and has the gate 7l` raised, is then fined with fue; from theConveyorvslmmf, i

an-predeterminedjweight is registered on the scale, at which'V time theelectrieswitclrf automaticallyshuts oft 4'the power and stops theconveyor.. The hydrauliecylinder il is then set in operation sofpthatjthe lever 58 partially rotates the shaft 53-to lift thecover54;,v and at the same time the container 66 isV tilted on the pin 67 bythe connection' link 63 andthe lever 62. 'The leverage-and the i workingof. theh-ydraulic cylinder klare so llHll arranged that thecover 54willbe'conipletelv,

raised and the container tilted,having -the chute. 70 adjacent the fuel.nozzle opening', without interfering-with each other. After lthecontainer 66 Ais completelylowered, the

lio

lever 62 is broughtdown opening the gatev 7l, thus allowing the fueltopass through the chute 70 and fuel nozzle' 43, into the magazine 29.-After 'fuel'is yplaced in the inagazine the container: 66 and theCoverall: are again placed in theiroriginal positions hy generator 5.`When the spreader is raised,

- the rod 77 lowered, and then the'hand incenso lf fuel is desired'atany particular' point, the pavvl 8T is lifted out of the ratchet 88,lever 84 is used as aforementioned.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the arrangement,combination and construction of theyvarious parts of my iinproved`device Without departing from the spirit of'my invention, and it is myinten; tion to cover by my claims such changes as may be included withinthescope thereof.

What l claim is: y

1.*ln combination with a generator of a gas plant, a carriage, amagazine mounted thereon and removably secured to said generator, a fuelcontainer, means for supplying fuel to said container and means forfeeding fuel to said magazine from. said container.

2. lin Combination with a generator of a gas plant, a carriage, amagazine .mounted thereon and removably secured to said generator, meansfor supplying said magazine With fuel and means for charging fuel todifferent portions ofxsaid 'generator from said magazine.

3. In combination with a generator of a gas plant, a carriage, amagazine mounted thereon and Aremovably secured to said gen-l erator, afuel container, means for supplying fuel to said magazine from saidcontainer, a spreader adapted to fit into said magazine and means forlowering said spreader to charge said generator with fuel from themagazine.'v

fl. ln combination with a` generator of a gas plant, acarriage, amagazine mounted thereon and removably secured to said gen erator,a'fuel container, a fuel conveyor for supplying` fuel to said container,means for leiding fuel into said magazine from said container, aspreader adapted to fit into said magazine and means forvloivering saidspreader to charge said generator with fuel from the magazine.

'.5. ln combination, a carriage, -a magazine mounted thereon, a fuelcontainer, a conveyor for supplying fuel to said container, means forWeighing the fuel in said container, and means for.feeding fuel intosaid magazine from said container.

6.- A charger for a gas generator comprising a magazine mounted on'theoutside of the generator, means for loading the magazine Wit-h fuel,means for dumping the fuel from the magazine into the generatorcomprising a fuel directing element adapted to be lowered into the.generatorvto deposit the fuel from the magazine Vat localized 4pointsaround the generator and means for raising the element to reload themagazine. 7. A charger comprising a carriage, a magazine mountedthereon, a fuel nozzle .having a gas tightA cover.- therefor extendingup from said magazine, means for openingA and closing said cover andmeans for load` ing said magazine with fuel through. said nozzle ilcharger for a gas generator coinprlsing a magazine mounted on theoutside of the generator, means for loading the magazine with fuel,means for dumping the fuel from the magazine into the generatorcomprising a fuel directing element adapted to be lowered into thegenerator to deposit the fuel from the magazine at localized. pointsaround the generator, means for rais ing the element to reload themagazine and means for automatically turning the element as the magazineis emptied and reloaded..

9. A charger comprising a'4 carriage, a magazine, mounted thereon, afuei nozzle extendingfrom said magazine,a fuel oontainer having a chuteend leading there'- from, agate in said chute adapted to close the sameand means for'opening said gate and loading said vmagazine with fuelfrom said container through said nozzle.

` 10. A charger comprising a carriage, a. magazine mounted thereon,means for raising and lowering said magazine from and on said carriage,a fuel nozzle extending from said magazine, a fuel container, means forloading said magazine with fuel'from said container through said nozzleand means for feeding the fuel from said magazine.

11. A charger comprising a carriage, a magazine mounted thereon,'a fuelnozzle ex tending up from said magazine and a gas tight cover for saidnozzle, a fuel container having a chute end leading therefrom, a gate insaid chute adapted to close the same and means for simultaneouslyopening said cover, tilting said container so that the chute end Will beadjacent said nozzle and opening said gate, thereby permitting fuel `topass from said container through said noz- 'zle into said magazine, 12.A charger comprising a carriage, a magazine, mounted thereon, a fuelnozzle extending upfrom said magazine and a gas tight cover for saidnozzle, afuel container having a chute end leadingI therefrom, a gate insaid chute adaptedto close the saint, a hydraulic cylinder secured tothe sideof said nozzle and means operated-by said cyl SIU inder forsimultaneously opening said cover` tilting said container so that thechute end will be adjacent said nozzle and opening saidY gate, therebypermitting'. fuel to pass from said container through said nozzle in-`to said magazine. l l

Ai3. .In combination, va carriage,.a maga- ;zine mounted thereon, a fuelnozzle extending up from said magazine, shaft supports on said nozzlehaving a shaft positioned therein, a gas tight cover for said nozzlesecured to said shaft, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston rod extending fromboth ends of said cylinder, means for reciprocating said rod in saidcylinder, a rack placed onvsaid piston rod, a fuel container having achute end, a gate in said chute and means connect-' ing said shaft, gateand rack, whereby said cover can be moved simultaneously with thetilting of said container and the opening of said gate by said pistonrod.

'l-l. In combination, a carriage, a niagaziue mounted thereon, a' fuelnozzle extending up from said magazine, shaft supports on said nozzle, ashaft positioned therein, a gas tight cover for said nozzle secured tosaid shaft, a lever fulcrumed on said shaft, a fuel container having achute end, a gate in-said chute, mea-ns connecting said gate with oneend of saidlleyer, a 'hydraulic cylinder positioned on said nozzle, apiston rod xtending. from both ends of said cylinder,

means for reciprocating said rod in said cylinder, a rack placed on saidpiston rod and'means connecting said rack with the other end of saidlever so that reciprocation of said piston rod will cause simultaneousmovement of raid cover and container and delayed movement of said gate.

15. In combination, a carriage, a magazine mounted thereon, means forfeeding a predetermined amount of fuel to said magazine, a hydrauliccylinder secured to the top of said magazine, a piston rod extendingydown into said magazine from said cylinder and a spreader secured tothe end of said rod adapted to form' a gas tight bottom for saidmagazine.

1G. A construction as set forth in claim l5 wherein a shoulder;is placedaround thein-4 side of said magazine adjacent the -bottom thereof andthe bottom of said spreader is beveled to form a gastightfjoint when inclosed position.

17. In combinationa carriage, a magazine mounted thereon,-means forsupplying' Said magazine with fuel, a hydraulic cylinder secured to thetop of said magazine, a' casing supported above said cylinder., a pistonrod in said cylinder having the lower end extending down into saidmagazine and the upper end through said casing, means for reciprocatingsaid piston rodin said cylinder, and means in said casing for partiallyrotatingsaid rod.

18. In combination, a carriage.a maga' zine inountedthereon` means forsupplying said magazine with fuel, a hydraulic `cylinder secured to thetop of said magazine, a casing supported above said cylinder, a pistonrod insaid cylinder having the lower end extending down into saidmagazine and the upper-portion through said casing, a spreader securedto the lower end of said i'od and adapted to form a gas tight bottom forsaid magazine, whenin closed. position, means for reciprocating saidpiston rod in said cylinder' and means in said casing'for partiallyrotating said rod on each complete stroke, thereby changing the positionof said spreader.

19. In combination, aA carriage, a magazine mounted thereon, means forsupplying said magazine with fuel, a hydraulic Cylinder secured to thetop of saidmagazine, a

casing supported above said' cylinder, a piston rod in said cylinderhaving the lower end extending down into said magazine and the upperportion ,through said casing, a spreader secured to the lower end ofsaid rod and adapted to form a gas tight bottom for said magazine whenin closed positionl means' for reciprocating said piston rod in saidcylinderI- a spiral groove in the upper portion of Said. rod., a ratchetgear havingan inside pin, projecting into said groove. fixed forrotation in said casing and a pawl adapted to allow free movement otsaid ratchet on the downstroke of said 'rod and ton rod in said cylinderhaving the lower end extending down into said magazine andV the upperportion through said casing, means for reciprocating said piston rod insaid cylinder andlmeans for turning said rod. consisting of a gear keyedto said-rod below said casing, a collar loosely positioned on the rodadjacent said cylinder, a hand lever pivoted to said collar and aprojecting end ou said hand lever adapted'to be inserted bek tween theteeth of said gear when the rod is at the end of its down stroke, b vraising said hand lever to a horizontal position.

21. In combination, a carriage, a maga# zine mounted thereon, means forsupplying Asaid magazine with fuel, a hydraulic cylinder secured to thetop of said magazine,l a

ill

to become set in the teeth of'said ratchet on l) il Elfi Jua

casing supportedv above said ylind'er, a pis-4 ton rod in said cylinder,having the. lower end extending down into said magazine and the upperportion. through said casing, a

spreader secured to the lower end of said rod, means for reciprocatingsaid piston rod in said cylinder, means for turning said rod andspreader, consisting of a gear keyed to said rod 'below said casing, acollar loosely positioned around said rod adjacentsaid cylinder, a handlever pivotedy to said collar and a projecting end on, said hand leveradapted to be inserted between the teeth of said gear when the rod is atthe endof its down stroke by raisingsaid hand lever to a horizontalposition and automatic means in said vcasing for partially rotating said.rod on each 4complete lstroke, thereby changing the lposition of saidspreader. i, A

GEORGE R. lSTERE.

